Blog Post #7
Welcome to today’s post on the blog!
Have you ever watched Toy Story, Finding Nemo, Tangled, or Princess and the Frog? If you have seen any of these, or any movies produced by Pixar that later integrated with Disney Animation, you can probably say both names were an important part of your childhood. The way you saw these movies, you can’t ever forget the nostalgia of watching them and the way you felt afterward.
I just recently finished a book (that I’m so ashamed to say took me way longer than I’d like to admit to finish) called “Creativity Inc” written by Edwin Catmull. Ed gives a lot of bits of wisdom in this book, some of which he collaborated on working with Steve Jobs and a lot more genius minds. Edwin also talks about his experience at Pixar and tips for management and how to collaborate with creative minds in an environment that encourages failure to gain earned success. I must say, I have a hard time getting into books enough to sit down and read them consistently, which is why it took me forever to finish this book. But besides the point, I think for my first book picking up in a while it was a good read for me and I would recommend you all to check it out if you need something to add to your reading list.
After finally completing this book, there are (5) takeaways I took from it and why I think you should read it!
Accepting criticism and being candid - I think one thing from this book that really resonated with me was Ed’s talk about how much they incorporate everyone's thoughts and opinions in the company’s culture and values but in an organized way to where you can take less of the emotion towards the person (who came up with the idea) and focus on the idea itself and how to improve it or know when to walk away from it. Ed also mentions how important it is that people be candid about their thoughts and opinions. I learned a new word so for all of those who also did not know the definition of “candid” here you go.
Handy dandy Google for the definition:
“Truthful and straightforward, frank.”
I think the importance of encouraging your people to want to be open and honest about their thoughts Edwin mentioned this quite a bit throughout the book. He mentions that the reason that is is because inspiration comes from any and everywhere, and I couldn’t agree with that more!
2. Importance of fostering a creative environment - Ed talks about the importance of fostering a creative environment especially when you’re asking people to be creative. Honestly, this makes perfect sense to me. While I love to be creative, I had to carve out a section of my home where I can be creative and welcome creativity to flow through me. Ed minions how when Pixar and Disney merged he saw how Disney employee’s work desks were dull and not decorated. At Pixar employees were highly encouraged to decorate their desks with all kinds of things to express creativity in the workplace. As someone who works in the corporate world outside of running my small business, I always complain that going into my company’s office just sucks the LIFE out of me. There are no colors on the walls, we have more people than desks so we have a shared desk system so you don’t have a personal small to personalize, the work is tedious and redundant. The people are pretty nice but for the most part the environment just doesn’t encourage creativity to me, especially after reading this book.
3. Great people vs. Great ideas? - In this book, the author asked a group of people, “What is more important? Great people or great ideas?” Shocked by the results, he said it was about 50/50 between the group. Edwin found this shocking because “with no great people, there are no great minds to generate great ideas.” I loved this way of thinking. I believe that is a question that would be a great conversation starter in general because I can honestly see why some could choose one option versus the other, but when I read Edwin’s expression of valuing great people it made perfect sense to me why people are most important and how taking care of your people allows for them to keep being great and growing to their fullest potential.
4. It’s a long creative journey you should stick to your core values and focus on what your burning desire is that sparks your flame - I needed this message the MOST. That was my lesson for 2023 as I sit and reflect on the year that is quickly coming to an end. Learning and embodying the idea that great things take time and nothing comes easy is a lesson we all have to learn at some point. Ed expressed being patient is a virtue that will allow you to slow your mind down to be present in every moment. We can’t control what has already happened, and can’t stop chaos from happening, all we can do is focus our energy on right now and the future that remains. Don’t deny what passions life calls for you. You need to hone in on what you have and build on it. Anything can blossom if given the proper love and care needed to grow.
5. Fear of failure is crippling, and embracing change encourages creativity - I think this is something Edwin mentioned in his book because he realizes a lot more people struggle to succeed because of the fear of failure and the fear of change. Both are crucial to success and are key to what it takes to create a quality product whatever it may be. We are our biggest obstacle most of the time, when we are able to escape the way of our own ways and welcome change we can continue to evolve.
Book rating and review:
Reading level: Adult
How did I get this book? : Local public library
Star rating description 1-5 stars:
1 star = Dull, boring, maybe lacking structure, boring characters, grammatical errors, or maybe offensive.
5 stars = Can’t wait to reread, liked the plot, character appreciation, well written, uplifting, or interesting.
These are the questions I asked myself post-reading “Creativity Inc.” to give you an idea of my general thoughts on the book and you can ask yourself the same questions if you read the book yourself! Be sure to let me know what you think of it, I would love to hear from you all and maybe you all can send me more book suggestions.
Initial response: How did you feel as soon as you had finished the book? Good, bad, indifferent?
Star(s) = 4.5
Recommendation: How likely are you to recommend this book to a friend?
Star(s) = 5
Re-readability: Do you think you will reread this book? Or is it heading to the back of the bookshelf?
Star(s) = 4
Style: Did you enjoy the writing style? Or did the author’s tone distract you from the content?
Star(s) = 3.7
Plot/structure: How engaged were you in the story? Were you excited? Shocked? Moved? How keen were you to turn the page and find out what happened next?
Star(s) = 4.5
Character: How relatable were the characters? Were there any characters that you particularly engaged with?
Star(s): 4.5
Overall book review rating
Star(s): 4.5
Learning from Ed by reading this book, I found that I need to focus on what challenges me, and what scares me and face it head-on. Often in my art process, I find that perfectionism can make art sometimes feel like a chore to me. I don’t make enough to play with art so with today’s art therapy exercise I think it’s a good one to loosen up expectations, trust your instinct, and use your imagination to create a great piece of artwork.
Now for the fun part…
Today’s art therapy exercise is Reverse coloring!
From this exercise, you can promote thinking and allow for more expressive, free-form art-making. You can also reduce stress and anxiety, enhance creativity and fine motor skills, boost self-esteem, and promote mindfulness.
Directions:
1.) Paint any design you like using your watercolors. Let it dry.
2.) Now, use a black marker to outline the shapes you created with your watercolor paints.
3.) Once you have outlined the areas of paint, use the marker to add details, designs, shapes, stripes, dots, etc. Now you have made a reverse coloring page!
MATERIALS NEEDED:
Black pen or marker
Watercolors
Brushes
Keep in mind ***
During this exercise, I would like to encourage you to let go of expectations and be playful in your mark-making. Be willing to be a beginner. I personally don’t use watercolors too often, but lately, I have been trying to incorporate them more when I am doing these exercises. Explore and find shapes, spot what areas of the painting stick out, and think about what it could possibly resemble to you. You can also use intricate patterns and repetition (examples; cross hatching, repeating shapes, lines, circles, squiggles, etc) to create detail in your painting.
Once you are feeling done with your artwork it’s TIME TO REFLECT!
Once you have completed your artwork I challenge you to take a piece of paper, or maybe jot it down in the notes on your phone but take a moment to reflect on your art and ask yourself questions to gain a deeper understanding of your emotions and yourself.
Example reflection questions:
What parts of your artwork do you feel are most successful?
Did your artwork turn out how you intended? Or did it take a different direction?
What would you do differently if you were to create this artwork again?
What did you enjoy most about this process?
What did you learn from creating this artwork?
CALL TO ACTION > POST IT TO INSTAGRAM!
Like usual, please be sure if you are comfortable sharing your artwork from today’s exercise tag me on Instagram @Tyistight_creatives and be sure to use hashtag #TyistightArtTherapyThrusdays
I would LOVE to see your work! If you don’t feel comfortable sharing on social media you can send it directly to me either by DM on Instagram or to my email: Tyistight.creatives@gmail.com
QUOTE OF THE WEEK :
“If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you” -Fred DeVito
FEATURED ARTIST OF THE WEEK:
Kendra Norton
She’s a published author of a reversed coloring book! Be sure to check out social and website through her linked tree: Kendra Norton.
Just as a reminder the art shop is updated with new and pretty products! No better way to spend your Christmas money and gift cards than to get some Tyistight Creatives artwork on cool, everyday usable items. After-pay is available on all products too, please feel free to check that out while you’re here on the website.
THANKS:
Thank you for joining this week’s exercise. I hope you really enjoyed creating and found the exercise useful in tapping into your happiness.
Until next time,
-Tyistight Creatives
